|
NEW! Follow us on
 
Advertisement
|
 |
| Editor's Notebook |
Breaking a Vicious Cycle
Much is made these days about the mind-body connection, particularly when it comes to healthcare. It is crucial, therefore, for healthcare providers, including pharmacists, to identify opportunities to ameliorate the impact of comorbid diabetes and depression. |
|
| Counseling Pearls |
 Barriers to Counseling Patients With Mental Health Disorders
With the increasing use of psychotropic drugs and other advanced therapies, pharmacists form an important part of the multidisciplinary care team for patients with mental illnesses. One of the primary roles of pharmacists in this field is to counsel patients thoroughly in order to improve adherence and patient outcomes related to drug therapy. |
 Management of Bipolar Disorder
There are two major types of bipolar disorder: bipolar I, which is characterized by the presence of at least one acute manic episode, and bipolar II, which is typified by hypomania and longer depressive episodes and is sometimes misdiagnosed as major depressive disorder. Pharmacotherapeutic options include lithium, anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, and antidepressants. |
| |
| Senior Care |
From Fear and Worry to Chronic Pain
A prior history of anxiety, depression, and physical and psychological trauma is significantly predictive of onset of chronic pain in later life. The risk of central sensitization should not be underestimated. |
| |
| Clinical Corner |
 Acute Opioid Withdrawal: Identification and Treatment Strategies
Opioid use—encompassing prescription opioids received via the legitimate healthcare system and illegal substances (e.g., heroin) obtained through illicit distribution—in the United States has increased dramatically since 2002. Abrupt discontinuation of these substances can result in acute opioid withdrawal. Methadone and buprenorphine are FDA-approved for use in treating withdrawal symptoms. |
 Suicide in the Veteran Population
In 2014, the Office of Suicide Prevention of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reported that veterans have a 21% higher risk for suicide when compared to civilian adults. Greater prevalence of mental health conditions, such as depression and PTSD, as well as substance use disorders, place veterans at a higher risk for suicide. |
| |
| Consult Your Pharmacist |
Acne Vulgaris: Different OTC Treatments
Acne affects nearly everyone at some point in their lifetime. With the recent Rx-to-OTC switch of Differin, patients now have another nonprescription option for treating this common dermatologic condition. |
| |
| Educational Spotlight |
Expanding Access to Naloxone: Role of the Pharmacist
To ensure safe usage, pharmacists must understand state regulations concerning distribution. |
Zika Virus and Its Effects in Pregnancy
Patient counseling and education are essential for successfully managing the current outbreak. |
A Review of the Management of Nephrolithiasis
For patients with recurrent kidney stones despite adequate fluid intake, pharmacologic treatment is recommended to prevent formation. |
| |
|
|
| Newswire |
 |
GSK Tops 2016 Access to Medicine Index
Haarlem, The Netherlands—
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) been ranked first in the Access to Medicine Index for the fifth consecutive time. The Access to Medicine Index is an independent measure of the top 20 pharmaceutical companies' efforts to improve access to healthcare in developing countries. It is a major initiative of the Access to Medicine Foundation, an international not-for-profit organization based in the Netherlands. Launched in 2008 and issued every 2 years, the index ranks individual companies based on their performance across seven strategic and technical areas, including research and development, pricing, and product donations. Johnson & Johnson has risen steadily up the list and is now ranked second, followed by Novartis. |
|
Benzodiazepines Increase Hip Fractures in Alzheimer's Patients
Joensuu, Finland—
According to a new study from the University of Eastern Finland, the use of benzodiazepines and related drugs increases the risk of hip fracture by 43% in persons with Alzheimer's disease. The study was based on the MEDALZ (MEDication use and ALZheimer's disease) cohort, including all Finnish persons diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease between 2005 and 2011. During benzodiazepine use, 2.5 hip fractures occurred per 100 person-years, whereas without drug use, the incidence was 1.4 hip fractures per 100 person-years. These results highlight the importance of following treatment guidelines, which recommend that behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia should be treated with nonpharmacologic options to avoid adverse events. |
|
First Biologic for Pediatric Psoriasis Gains Approval
Silver Spring, MD—
The FDA has approved expanded use of etanercept (Enbrel) to treat pediatric patients (ages 4-17 years) with chronic moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. It is the first and only systemic drug approved in the U.S. to treat children affected by this serious inflammatory disease. The approval is based on results from a phase III, 1-year trial and its 5-year open-label extension study. In addition to demonstrating significant efficacy, the adverse events were similar to those seen in previous studies in adult psoriasis patients. "This new approval…marks a significant milestone in advancing the treatment of children living with this devastating disease," said Randy Beranek, president and chief executive officer of the National Psoriasis Foundation. |
|
|
  |
| To subscribe to U.S. Pharmacist eFLASH, send your name, address, and email address to us by clicking here.
U.S. Pharmacist is a monthly journal dedicated to providing the nation's pharmacists with up-to-date, authoritative, peer-reviewed clinical articles relevant to contemporary pharmacy practice in a variety of settings, including community pharmacy, hospitals, managed also useful to pharmacy technicians, students, other health professionals and individuals interested in health management. Pharmacists licensed in the U.S. can earn Continuing Education credits through Postgraduate Healthcare Education, LLC, accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. |
|
|
